Rookie season done, Eachus looks ahead

Published: February 4, 2013

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GENE J. PUSKAR/Associated Press
Chiefs running back Nate Eachus (45) gets set to block Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons during their game in Pittsburgh in November. Eachus said playing his first NFL game in his native Pennsylvania one of his rookie season highlights.

Nate Eachus' first NFL season had more peaks and valleys than a roller coaster ride.

Signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent running back, the Colgate University and Hazleton Area High School graduate began his NFL journey with an outstanding preseason. He ran for 98 yards against Seattle in the third exhibition game, and followed it up with 99 yards against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in the preseason finale, cementing his spot on the Chiefs' 53-man roster.

With the only fullback in camp injured for much of the preseason, Eachus also started to turn heads with his blocking abilities, and became the team's primary blocking back for Jamaal Charles.

After an 0-2 start to the season, Eachus made his first NFL start in Week 3 a memorable one. Playing the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome, Eachus' lead blocks helped spring Charles for 233 yards in a 27-24 overtime victory.

Another high point came in Week 6, when Eachus got his first official NFL carry and reception in a 38-10 loss at Tampa Bay.

But the Drums native experienced his first major setback the following game, suffering a concussion in a loss to the Oakland Raiders that kept him out of action the next game against San Diego.

Eachus returned to the lineup in Week 9, playing on national television back in his home state in a Monday night showdown in Pittsburgh, when the Chiefs took the heavily-favored Steelers to overtime before falling 16-13.

The Chiefs were mired in an eight-game losing streak when the unthinkable happened on a Saturday in early December. Jovan Belcher, their 25-year-old linebacker, killed his girlfriend and then took his own life in the parking lot at Arrowhead Stadium. With heavy heart, the Chiefs pulled together and beat the Carolina Panthers

27-21 the following day.

It was Eachus' final game of the season, as he was inactive for the Chiefs' last four games of 2012. Still, he helped lead the way for Charles' 1500-yard rushing season, one of the team's bright spots in an otherwise dismal year in K.C.

Soon after a 38-3 loss in Denver capped the disappointing 2-14 campaign, head coach Romeo Crennel, general manager Scott Pioli and the entire coaching staff were let go.

The Chiefs have since hired longtime Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid to lead them into the future.

Standard-Speaker assistant sports editor Steve Stallone talked with Eachus by phone Saturday evening, on the eve of Super Bowl XLVII, to get his thoughts on his first NFL season and what lies ahead for him and his team. Here is a portion of that conversation.

Question: Having had time to reflect on your first season in the NFL, was it everything you hoped it would be?

Eachus: I thought I had a good year. I got more playing time than I expected, but at the same time, now that I've been through it, it was tough going 2-14. I was never on a losing team in my life. It was tough going 2-14, and tough all the way around with my teammate committing suicide and all. I'm satisfied with my season, and I'm ready to get next season under way. Now that I'm here and a professional, I have the mindset to try and live my life that way. I want to continue to treat my body right. I had a decent year as a rookie, but I'm looking forward to next year. I have a couple of goals in mind.

Q: What have you been doing since the season ended?

Eachus: I spent some time back home in Hazleton for a couple of weeks. I'm in Buffalo right now with my trainer (Buddy Morris). I'm training with a couple of guys from Pitt, Tino Sunseri, Hubie Graham from West Scranton, Mike Shanahan, a couple of Pitt O-linemen. Nate Byum from the Buccaneers is coming up with a couple other guys. There's a good group of guys up here. I'm trying to motivate some of these college guys. I'm just doing anything I can to help them out.

Q: Having been a long-time Eagles fan growing up, I'm sure you're familiar with Andy Reid. What are your thoughts about your new head coach?

Eachus: Andy Reid has a lot of experience and a lot of success. Once his name became available, I'm sure the Chiefs grabbed Andy Reid for a reason. Our owner wanted to bring in a winning coach. I think he's the winningest coach in Philadelphia history. He knows how to win. He brings a great offensive mind to the table, and he brought a lot of good coaches with him. (New running backs coach) Eric Bieniemy coached (Associated Press NFL MVP) Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, so he has good experience.

Q: Have you met with Reid and the new coaching staff yet?

Eachus: I haven't met them yet, but I'm excited to get to meet them. I'm going to be back in Kansas City in April. That will be the first time I'll be introduced to them.

Q: Reid is known as a coach who utilizes a West Coast offense and a lot of one-back sets. Does that concern you?

Eachus: I haven't really thought about that, but it will be like starting over. I'll be fighting and scratching and clawing to try to get playing time. I have to earn that respect all over again.

Q: Looking back, what are your thoughts about Romeo Crennel and the rest of the Chiefs coaching staff that you played for this year?

Eachus: It was an honor to play under those guys. They gave me a shot. It was a good group of guys. I respect them and what they did here.

Q: What do you think went wrong in Kansas City. Do you think it was the coaching staff, the players, or a combination of both?

Eachus: It's hard to say what the problem was. I'm not going to blame the coaches, but it's a business. Things have to go on.

Q: Looking back, what were some of the most memorable moments for you as an NFL rookie?

Eachus: I'd say when I cut block (Baltimore Ravens' linebacker) Ray Lewis, that was pretty memorable. Playing against the Steelers on Monday night was also pretty memorable. It was fun to be back in Pennsylvania and felt good to be on Pennsylvania ground. The Tampa Bay game, when I got a couple of carries at running back and had that 19-yard catch, that was pretty cool. And beating the Saints and Drew Brees in the Superdome in overtime, and blocking for Jamaal and helping him grind out yards in that overtime, I'll always remember that game.

Q: Did you watch Jamaal and your teammates play in the Pro Bowl last weekend?

Eachus: I watched some of the Pro Bowl, and Jamaal did well. He made the most of his opportunities. Derrick Johnson made a pick-six, and our punter (Dustin Colquitt) did well. Overall, we had six Pro Bowlers, and I think they represented the Chiefs well.

Q: The Chiefs own the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. What kind of player do you think they'll go after?

Eachus: I have no idea who we're going to pick, but I hear rumors of a defensive lineman. People say we need a quarterback, but that's not for me to decide. It's good we have the first pick. I hope we get an impact player who can contribute to our future success.

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